Summer is nearly here! Everyone is coming out of hibernation and ready to don the shorts and t-shirts to embrace the hot, humid Montreal summer.

If you're planning to visit Montreal this summer, then you've made a wise choice. With the huge number of festivals and party atmosphere, there's no shortage of entertainment and excitement in Montreal.

So how do you decide what to do? Where do you begin? Well, I've compiled a list of 5 things that you should try this summer in Montreal. Whether it's your first time visiting, or its your home city, perhaps there's something you haven't tried yet. Now is the time to give it a whirl!!

1. Eat yourself silly!
The food in Montreal is just fantastic. The prices are great, the choice is varied, and there are just so many fantastic places open late in the warm summer nights. Take a stroll down Rue Prince Arthur and taste a Greek meal, or sample food from one of the many other fantastic restaurants in Montreal. Don't forget that you can also visit the Jean Talon and Atwater Markets for some fresh foods and fantastic cheeses for a picnic!

Hey, its summer - you're bound to work it off...

2. Shop till you drop and grab a bargain!
Well you know that the festival season is kicking in but did you know that there are a number of street sales and festivals also happening? It's that time of the year where all the shops get all their old stock out and you can seriously score something awesome. The three main shopping streets, Blvd St Laurent, Rue Mont- Royal and Rue St Catherine ALL have their street sales so between them you are bound to be able to spoil yourself.

3. Grab that bike and go for a ride!
Ok so you may not have a bike if you're just visiting, but rent one anyway and go for a bike ride to explore the city. There are heaps of bike paths throughout Montreal leading up on the mountain, through the main streets and even down along the Lachine Canal. You can rent bikes, buy the maps and head off to explore. At least you'll burn off the calories you added when you ate yourself silly.

4. Have a laugh!
They say laughter is the best medicine, and I can't argue with that. The Annual Just For Laughs Festival is on again, and you're guaranteed a laugh a minute. As with most of Montreal's festivals, the streets are closed off and you can enjoy the street party for free. Join in on all the activities running all day and much of the night. Of course you'll have to visit one of the many entertaining main acts if you want a real laugh.

5. Be a child again!
Eat an ice cream while running through a summer thunderstorm! Well ok, perhaps you don't want to do that (but I highly recommend it!). But even so, the eating an ice cream bit sure sounds great, no? Visit Ripples Ice Cream on Blvd St Laurent and get yourself one of their special flavoured ice creams.... Whether its Moka Almond Fudge or the SIX TIMES chocolate (to die for!) you won't be disappointed....it's the perfect treat to enjoy on a humid summers day.

Well there you have it! Of course there are many, many more things to keep you entertained while visiting Montreal in the summer but if there's something above that you've not yet done - get out there and do it!!